Late-game Efforts Unable to Bring Phillies Back as Tigers Tie Series
Aug 2, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Tigers second base Colt Keith (33) hits a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
In the anticipated pitching matchup between the 2024 American League Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, and National League Cy Young runner-up Zack Wheeler, the game eventually panned out towards Detroit, as Skubal was a problem for the Phillies’ bats for a majority of the game.
A dominant start from Skubal, paired with what seemed to be another off-game for Wheeler, favored Detroit throughout the game, even when the Phillies made a run later on. Detroit held on to win 7-5, despite the Phillies’ combined 5 runs in the 7th and 8th innings.
Offense Cannot Adjust Against All-Star
For a starting pitcher who runs through the opposing lineup with ease, they must be careful when that lineup comes back to the top, as the offense needs to make the adjustment in order to match the pitcher. This season, the Phillies’ bats and hitting coach Kevin Long have had a hard time finding that solution, which was no different today when facing one of, if not the best, starting pitchers in all of baseball.
Skubal went out for seven innings, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out 10, showing that the Phillies’ tendency to chase became palpable once again today. Hitters such as Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Harrison Bader, Otto Kemp, and Edmundo Sosa all went hitless today and had a hard time picking up Skubal’s famous changeup, leading to ten strikeouts for Tarik.
Skubal was just disgusting. And sometimes, you just have to tip your cap.
Wheeler’s Struggles Continue
Though Wheeler is without a doubt a top-three starter in the National League, the Tigers’ elite offense took command over Wheeler today, as he gave up three runs with nine hits in six innings. Although Zack struck out 10 batters, the nine hits were very unusual.
After an unforgettable month of June for Wheeler, this start against the Tigers shows some recent struggle for Zack, as in his last five starts, Wheeler has given up seven home runs. This is very spontaneous and unexpected, as all of the Phillies’ starting pitchers were recently phenomenal up until the All-Star break.
Though a rough start compared to his standard, this wasn’t the worst for Wheeler, as he still received a quality start in an outing where he walked zero batters once again, showing that the outcome is not to be put on Wheeler.
Bullpen Shows Uninspiring Signs
The Phillies’ bullpen, though gaining additions, conducted some dreary characters this afternoon.
Tanner Banks, who has been climbing his way up in the bullpen throughout the season, got a good look today in the seventh inning after Wheeler was taken out, where Banks had the job to keep the score where it was in hopes of a spark in the Phillies’ offense. This did not turn out the way they were hoping, however, as Banks, in 23 pitches, gave up a run on two hits, expanding the Tigers’ lead to 5-0.
Once the Phillies had made a statement on the dominant Skubal, Matt Strahm, too, was tasked with holding the Tigers down. In 30 pitches, Strahm gave up two runs with two outs after walking two men, as his control was all over the place. He could not finish the inning and was taken out in place of Jordan Romano for the last out in the eighth.
Harper Has a Day
Through the despair of Skubal’s dominance, there was a Phillie today who not only had three hits on the day, but was the only Phillie to make contact with everything Skubal chucked in his seven innings. Bryce Harper, who had been thrown out of yesterday’s win, came back ready to play, as he went 2-3 against Skubal, including an 8-pitch at-bat ending in a base hit for Bryce. Through the tough innings, Harper continued to provide the hope the offense needed to attempt a comeback.
Harper also assisted in the scoring, with a two-run blast to centerfield to make it a two-run lead for Detroit. Ever since returning from the injured list, Bryce has continued to show step after step in returning to the Bryce we all know.
Harper hopes to bring today’s attitude into tomorrow night for a series win on ESPN at 7:00 with Cristopher Sanchez taking the hill for the Fightins.
Luke Raidy
Luke has covering the the Flyers and Phillies for Philly Sports Reports since 2025. He is a junior at North Penn and being a huge Philly sports fan has brought so many experiences, such as going to the NLDS, NLCS, and even the World Series in 2022. He has also met former superstars in the city of Philadelphia, such as Wayne Simmonds from the Flyers. Though being a student-athlete, Luke enjoys his time where he is writing and reporting on Philadelphia sports.
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